Top Officials Gather in Bucharest to Coordinate Global Fight Against Antisemitism

Graves desecrated with swastikas are seen in the Jewish cemetery in Quatzenheim, near Strasbourg, France, Feb. 19, 2019. Photo: Reuters / Vincent Kessler.

Several dozen top officials from around the world involved in combating antisemitism kicked off a first-of-its-kind conference in the Romanian capital of Bucharest on Monday.

The two-day event was organized by the World Jewish Congress (WJC) and the Romanian government. The purpose of the gathering, the WJC said, was to bring together “global Jewish leaders and global counter-antisemitism coordinators to discuss the key issues facing Jewish communities today and deliberate best practices going forward.”

Addressing the conference on Monday, European Commission Coordinator for Combating Antisemitism Katharina von Schnurbein, said, “There is a need in all EU member states to step up efforts [against antisemitism], see where the gaps are, and make sure they are being filled and implemented. The big challenge will be to push back against antisemitism — not just contain it.”

Prominent figures set to speak at the conference included Romanian Prime Minister Viorica Dancila, US Special Envoy for Combating Antisemitism Elan Carr and Commissioner for Jewish Life in Germany and the Fight Against Antisemitism Felix Klein, among others.